Charge Codes and Switch Regimes

A Charge code is a 13 digit number assigned to apparatus that UMS Customers wish to add to their inventories. It is sometimes incorrectly called an UMSUG Code, however the correct terminology is a Charge Code. Charge codes are used within the UMSO systems to calculate volumes of electricity consumed. If you use a piece of equipment, it must go on the inventory with a charge code.

The application procedure for a charge code for a new piece of equipment is detailed in the Operational Information document in the table below.

The charge codes in the Unmetered Supplies Operational Information document are no longer contained within a Code Subsidiary Document. No BSCP520 appended documents will be produced.

If the charge code you need is not listed in the document below, please apply for one, as laid out in the testing procedure in the Guidance Note on the UMS Charge Code Process.

• Guidance Note on Burn Hours Review: Methodology Statement
• Operational Information Document –  part of Guidance Note series

Key documents

Please download and complete any relevant forms and send it along with your application form to our email [email protected].

* If you are downloading a .csv file, please ensure you right click on the link and ‘save target as….’.

• Application Form – Signals and Miscellaneous Charge Codes
• Template for Standard Charge Code and Test Data

Unmetered Supplies Operational Charge Codes

• Unmetered Supplies Operational Charge Codes – excel file – MDD Version 353 V.1
• Unmetered Supplies Operational Charge Codes – csv file – MDD Version 353 V.1
• Charge Code Archive – xls – For information only

LED Range

• Manufacturer Equipment LED Range – excel file – MDD Version 351 V.1
• Generic LED Charge Codes: Guidance to Manufacturers on the Application Process
• Generic LED Customer Guidance
• Application Form – Generic LED Charge Code Range
• Generic LED Charge Code Archive – For information only

Unmetered Supplies Operational Switch Regimes

• Unmetered Supplies Operational Information Switch Regime Spreadsheet – excel file – MDD Version 353 V.1
• Unmetered Supplies Operational Information Switch Regime Spreadsheet – csv file – MDD Version 353 V.1
• Switch Regime Archive – xls – For information only

Variable Power Switch Regime

• Variable Power Switch Regime Spreadsheet – excel file – MDD Version 353 V.1
• Variable Power Switch Regimes (VPSR) Application Form
• Appendix to Switch Regime VPSR Form
• Variable Power Switch Regime calculation tool

Non Standard Conversion Charge Codes

• Non Standard Conversion Charge Codes – xls [67 Kb] – Version: 1.0

Highway Message Sign and Indicator Sign Operating Hours

• Highway Message Sign and Indicator Sign Operating Hours – Version: 1.0

Lamps

• Application Form – Charge Code Lamps
• Lamps Appendix to Application Form

Test Procedure

Please note that our requirements for test house accreditation have changed. In the past, we considered ISO9001 accreditation, provided it evidenced the ability to carry out accurate electrical testing of equipment. However, we found it extremely difficult to verify this ability using ISO9001.

We now require that any test house used for UMS testing be ISO17025 accredited, with the schedule of accreditation for the test house explicitly detailing the range of wattages (or alternatively, voltages and amps) that the test house is competent to test between.

It is extremely important that applicants discuss with us any test house that we have not already approved under these new requirements, in advance of agreeing to use that test house in support of a Charge Code application.

A test house that we have not already approved may not be acceptable, which will result in new testing being needed.

Some cases have been identified where additional guidance is needed with regards to the testing process of some products. One case is that of Wi-Fi units which do not produce realistic figures in laboratory testing when the equipment is simply turned on and no data flow is applied.

We advise manufacturers to test these units under data flow in a mesh network so that the test results obtained are representative of the unit’s normal operating conditions.

What is a Switch Regime?

A Switch Regime is a three digit numeric/alpha-numeric code for any Unmetered Supply equipment identifying the number of hours that the equipment will be operational. It also details the on/off times of the equipment.

The application procedure for a switch regime is the same as that for charge codes.

Charge Code/Switch Regime Application Schedule

The dates below are deadline dates for all charge code and switch regime applications, as well as the dates all application responses will be sent to applicants. We reserve the right to change these dates if necessary. You must send your applications ahead of the deadline dates to allow adequate time for initial review.

Please be aware that we insist upon ISO17025 accreditation supplied with test data for UMS Charge Codes explicitly referencing the testing of electrical properties in its scope. Elexon reserves discretion as to what accreditation it will accept, and therefore strongly encourages applicants to discuss potential testing arrangements with Elexon prior to obtaining test data.

* Applications received earlier in each cycle allow more time for processing and initial reviews to be completed ahead of the deadline date, resulting in a greater likelihood of having a successful application that month.